Residency defeat Real Madrid in Spain

November 11, 2009

By Simon Fudge/whitecapsfc.com

Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency claimed an impressive 2-0 victory over the U-18 side of Spanish and European giants Real Madrid Club de Fútbol on Wednesday afternoon.

Two goals by Vancouver, BC, native Ben Fisk-Routledge gave Thomas Niendorf's young side an historic win over 'Los Merengues' at the Real Madrid City training complex. It was the Residency team's second straight victory of their two-week trip to Spain. Last week, the 'Caps claimed two draws against the U-18 teams from Club Atlético de Madrid and Getafe Club de Fútbol before defeating Torrelodones Club de Fútbol U-18's 4-3 on Sunday.

On a pleasant and overcast Remembrance Day afternoon near the Spanish capital, the Whitecaps made the most of their visit to Real's impressive training complex, with the Residency squad getting a pre-match glimpse of Argentina's national side in training. The South Americans are in Madrid for an international friendly match with reigning European champions Spain on Saturday.

Playing on the turf surface at Real Madrid City's Field #5, the Whitecaps were well motivated to claim a result against the young 'Madridistas', as the Blue and White - who again played in a 4-5-1 formation - worked tirelessly throughout the friendly contest.

The first half saw hosts Madrid press their Canadian visitors with plenty of possession, but only to find Residency goalkeeper Richard Causton in fine form, as he made a couple of important saves to keep Real off the scoresheet.

The game's winning goal came on the half-hour mark. Russell Teibert eluded his Real marker down the left flank before hitting a cross that bounced nicely for fellow midfielder Fisk-Routledge to head the ball past Madrid goalkeeper David Soria for a 1-0 Whitecaps lead.

The attacking combination of lone striker Caleb Clarke and winger Teibert created another Whitecaps chance on 32 minutes. However, Clarke was unable to find the target after striking his shot just wide of the post.

It meant the Residency team took a one-goal lead into the halftime break.

The 'Caps picked up where they left off at the start of the second half, as their quickness and speed allowed Niendorf's side to hit Real's 'Juvenil C' team on the counter-attack. At the other end, Causton's clean sheet was thanks in large part to a fine defensive display from the quartet of Jack Cubbon, Tim Hickson, Ezequiel Lubocki, and Lucas Sweda.

Vancouver nearly extended their lead two minutes after the restart, as Richmond, BC, native Clarke broke in one-on-one with Soria. The Madrid goalkeeper, however, was equal to the striker's effort, as he made a fine stop to keep head coach Luis Miguel Ramis Monfort's side in the match.

Yet, the chance was a sign of things to come, and on 67 minutes, the Whitecaps sealed victory with a second goal from Fisk-Routledge. A fine passing sequence between Clarke and Teibert saw the striker tee up Fisk-Routledge to score again past Soria from 12 yards out.

The second goal ended any hopes of a Real comeback, as the Whitecaps saw out the remaining stages of the match to secure a memorable 2-0 victory.

Niendorf underlined the importance of Wednesday's result against Real's youngsters. "I feel we have taken a very important step forward today in our club and in our program," he told whitecapsfc.com. "I was very pleased with the players today. They showed a great commitment to the game and they followed though with our game plan that utilized our team's strengths, while playing within our means. We adapted to Madrid's style of play early in the match and were very clever in denying them space. Then when we had the chance, we attacked them with our speed of play. Both goals were clinically taken, as we took advantage of the opportunities we had. Overall, it was a great team performance and that was great to see."

The Residency head coach was also thoroughly impressed with Real's world-class training facility. "Real Madrid City is a phenomenal place," Niendorf said. "None of us have ever been in such a fantastic facility for soccer, so we were taken aback to a certain degree by what we experienced there today."

Whitecaps Residency will conclude their friendly schedule in Spain with a match against the U-18 side from Rayo Vallecano de Madrid on Thursday afternoon.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency
Richard Causton; Lucas Sweda, Jack Cubbon, Tim Hickson, Ezequiel Lubocki; Kevin Cobby, Alex Rowley, Bobby Jhutty (Ben McKendry 65'), Ben Fisk-Routledge, Russell Teibert; Caleb Clarke (Joseph-Claude Gyau 70', Nick Chiarot 85')

Subs not used: Callum Irving, Patrick Bennett, Manny Straith

Real Madrid U-18's (Juvenil C)
David Soria; Diego Llorente, Unai Barrondo, Marcelo Amado, Fernando Romano; Jose Montesinos, Pedro Plaza, Jose Rodriguez, Mario Loza; Omar, Moha

Subs: Alfonso Herrero, Xavier Carmona, Alex Samaniego, Miguel Herranz, Jorge, Diego Moreno, Martin Mario

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